Category Archives: Inside BIO Industry Analysis

The broader biotech indices are up more than 30 percent this year and have reached levels not seen since the peak of March 2000. Larger biotechs account for much of the index returns, as we have described previously, and have helped the sector outperform the S&P 500 by two fold. But how have smaller biotech companies been performing? As of Nov 30, 27 companies that started the year under $1 billion in market capitalization have Read More >

It is rare to see triple digit millions in private financing rounds, but it does happen once or twice a year on average. In the headlines last week, was the largest triple digit VC round in years – the $160M in venture capital funding for Intarcia. With the simultaneous debt financing of $50M, the total funding round was $210M. Behind the deal were existing investors New Enterprise Associates, New Leaf Venture Partners and Venrock, plus Read More >

The troubles in the biotech IPO market are complicated to explain to industry outsiders. They read about new biotechs debuting on the public market, but also hear bankers, VCs, and CEOs complaining about how the IPO window never really opened after 2008. The reality is that we are seeing positive developments and negative trends simultaneously. On the bright side, the cumulative number of IPOs is holding up. The recent pace of biotech IPOs mimics what Read More >

It is a known fact within the private company biopharma universe that the days of certainty for public exits, subsequent private financings, and even pharma licensing deals are over. IPOs have been out of favor for five years, venture firms are turning away from the sector, and fewer licensing deals are being cut. What is less understood about this uncertain environment is how it has forced management and their venture backers, to not only rethink Read More >

The kinase inhibition field has had plenty of ups and downs and over the last decade, but when we take a look at recent approvals and NDA filings there seems to be a strengthening of the field. There are now 16 kinase inhibitors that have been approved and five seeking regulatory approval in the next few months. The last two years in particular has been a boom for the KIs, with seven approvals, three of which target Read More >